Cruise Council Board Re-elected
The board of the International Cruise Council Australasia has been re-elected unopposed at the Council’s Annual General Meeting.
Representatives of the Council’s membership attended the AGM in Sydney this week (December 13) to review the cruise industry’s progress over the past year and discuss plans to further boost travel agent training programs in Australia and New Zealand during 2006.
The board for 2006 will be:
· Chairman – Steve Odell, Silversea Cruises
· Vice President Membership and Marketing – Belinda Kent, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
· Vice President Training – Doug Smith, Orion Expedition Cruises
· Secretary – Ken Byers, Carnival Australia
· Treasurer – Richard Cranmer, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises
Council General Manager Karen Christensen said the Council had had a strong year, with membership growing from 18 to 21.
Ms Christensen welcomed the Council’s latest member, Avalon Waterways, which joined early December.
“New members such as river cruise specialist Avalon indicate the diversity of cruise product now available to travel agents. No matter who their customers are, travel agents will find a cruise product to suit them.
Avalon Waterways National Marketing Manager Fiona Watson said the company had joined the Council to benefit from membership of a professional organisation and to raise awareness of Avalon Waterways.
Operated by the Globus Family, Avalon Waterways is rapidly expanding after purchasing its first ship last year. In 2006 it will operate four luxury ships – three in Europe and one in Russia. Each caters for 170-180 passengers.
Back row (l-r)Julie Anderson, Carnival Australia, Braydon Holland, Star NCL, Andrew Millmore, Holland America, Steve Odell, Silversea Cruises, Fiona Watson, Avalon Waterways, Peter Marshall, Orient Lines
Front row (l-r) Belinda Kent, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Lynne Clark, MSC Sherilyn Robinson, Captain Cook Cruises, Karen Christensen, GM, ICCA, Richard Cranmer, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises
Absent: Board members Doug Smith, Orion Expedition Cruises and Ken Byers, Carnival Australia.
Graham Muldoon
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